As technology advances at a rapid pace, cybersecurity continues to evolve reflecting the concerns citizens, businesses and public institutions have over the protection of their confidential information stored online.
According to Statistics Canada’s 2023 Canadian Internet Use Survey, the number of Canadians experiencing cybersecurity incidents rose from 58 per cent in 2020 to 70 per cent in 2022, with common threats that include unsolicited spam, malware and fraudulent card use.
And recent reports of data breaches affecting Canadians, such as unauthorized access to tens of thousands of CRA taxpayer accounts, has allowed hackers to illegally change direct deposit details and steal over $6 million in refunds.
Closer to home, on October 10, 2024 the Calgary Public Library closed all 22 of its branches in the wake of a suspected ransomware attack. The facility’s servers and library computers were shut down for five days to protect the personal data of its cardholders .
All locations have since reopened, with several modifications to their technological services. The Calgary Public Library says it has now implemented a staged approach as it continues to restore its services.
While Canada is among the most connected nations globally, experts say basic cybersecurity measures can make a big difference in safeguarding against attacks from ransomware to misinformation.
